Dissatisfied with the talks with representatives of the Government and line ministries, the residents of Srđevac and surrounding villages, who oppose the construction of a quarry by the concessionaire company "Imperijal", have announced a new blockade of the Bijelo Polje - Berane main road in Srđevac on February 9 at noon, as well as on February 16, when they will block the Ribarevina roundabout, towards Bijelo Polje, Berane and Podgorica.
This was announced at a press conference, which was attended today, in addition to the residents of Srđevac and surrounding villages, and also by representatives of the non-governmental organization (NGO) "Euromost".
The representative of this NGO, Almer Mekić, said that they were engaged and stood up for the protection of the locals, who invited them because of their experience in protecting the natural environment.
"The main word in resolving this problem lies with the local parliament, which we call on to open a debate and annul the consent given by the local Secretariat for Rural and Sustainable Development, which is led by representatives of the Bosniak Party, not the Environmental Protection Agency. Therefore, we call on the Bosniak Party and all other parties to join the fight against the eviction of residents from that area. If necessary, we will collect 1.400 signatures to open the issue at a session of the local parliament, and the main reason for the annulment is that a public debate was not held," said Mekić.
Iljaz Hasanagić from Srđevac said that the locals were forced to gather because of trouble and that they would defend themselves against the construction of the quarry with their bare lives, and he particularly highlighted the problem of the lack of transparency of the public debate.
He recalled that the signing of the concession between the Government and the company "Imperial" of Vojislav Smolović, brother of the Mayor of the Municipality Petar Smolović, took place during the technical mandate of the Government of Duško Marković, and that the contract was signed on behalf of the Government by the then Minister of Economy Dragica Sekulić.
"Everything was done without our knowledge. The call for the public hearing should have been posted in several places in those villages, so that people would be informed, and not just on the Municipality's website, which not everyone follows, especially those who are older. They announced that the public hearing would start at 10 am on May 15, and the call to our village arrived at 12 pm, so they did everything without our knowledge," he said.
Hasanagić pointed out that the villages of Lozna, Srđevac, Poda, Trubina, Sajkovac, Crniš, Jagoče have more than 2.000 residents and more working-age people than Šavnik and Plužine combined, which is why he will not allow the opening of quarries even at the cost of his life.
"People from those areas left in search of bread, but they built houses, they intend to return to their villages, but politics wants to drive us away from those areas," he said, pointing out that the Berane villages of Štitari and Bubanje are also at risk.
The Municipality, however, reiterated that everything was done transparently and that there were two public calls for public debate on the Municipality's website and in "Pobjeda", reminding that the entire process of granting concessions is decided by the state, not the Municipality.
Srđan Šćekić and Juso Dervišević also spoke at the conference, reiterating that there are houses and water sources near the quarry and that the quarry is 250 meters from the village center.
The locals said that no one will drive them away from their doorsteps, and they are particularly outraged after talks with representatives of the Government and relevant ministries, who, as they claim, did not help them solve the problem, emphasizing that they will not allow another Jablanica in Srđevac.
The owner of "Imperial" Vojislav Smolović said earlier that there are no water sources or houses in the area and that they have obtained all the necessary permits and approvals to open a quarry.
Bonus video:
